Learning something new about people every day, I heard a young friend feels sad when she sees pictures of loved ones who have passed. A joyful Christian who believes in life after death, she cannot tolerate the sadness felt when seeing photos of her ancestors who are (in her words) “no longer with us.” The same applies to pics of deceased family members of her close friends. Family history, I call it.
So, it’s possible some others similarly feel sad when I am happy to review images of those who are missed. What do you think? I learn to be more sensitive to others’ feelings and understand different views. With regard to that, let caution and patience prevail. I see additional need for promptings from the Spirit to avoid disturbing.
For years on this blog, I have been posting photos of our loved ones who have passed, especially my forever companion Kay, who brings me joy every day. Seeing her smile brings back happy memories that help me love life and look forward to our reunion on the other side. She and others we love are still with us in spirit, not far away. I am grateful for their influence and Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. Family history — how are we doing it?
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Memories for Mother’s Day
A review of previous posts for Mother’s Day brought sweet memories to share. I am eternally grateful for my angel wife Kay, for her parents, and for my parents. They all sacrificed so much for our children and me ... with love.
We know it isn’t leftover things that matter most, but memories are so precious. I thank Heavenly Father for my amazing mother, who continues to care for and help guide the family. Her saving mission goes on. Like great music she led me to crave, my mother keeps giving with love.
Mother's Heavenly Music (5/11/2014)
Somehow she must have known what it would do to me. ... a frequent warm feeling of gratitude when I hear great classical music.
Memory Prompts on Mother’s Day (5/8/2016)
I miss my parents; today I especially miss my mother. After they both passed on, my older sister lovingly organized things for distribution ... I share a few in hopes of prompting memories of Mother ...
I miss my parents; today I especially miss my mother. After they both passed on, my older sister lovingly organized things for distribution ... I share a few in hopes of prompting memories of Mother ...
Two paintings of Nauvoo
African letter opener …
Old [portable] typewriter in black case. [A special granddaughter lovingly received it.]
...
There are a lot of smaller … “treasures” which could be shared with the grandchildren for mementos.
We know it isn’t leftover things that matter most, but memories are so precious. I thank Heavenly Father for my amazing mother, who continues to care for and help guide the family. Her saving mission goes on. Like great music she led me to crave, my mother keeps giving with love.
Grandma Kay, loving twin grandsons
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Five
How special is the number five?
Thinking about five on this fifth day of the fifth month, I am reminded of the human body, divinely designed with five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. Five senses help us survive and enjoy life: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. (Who knows what our five senses will do for us in life on the other side?)
My wife Kay & I are blessed with five children, who are all amazing adults. Three daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law make a total of five loving spouses. They definitely deserve an exuberant, virtual “high five”!
Words of inspiration are received in five sessions of every worldwide General Conference. Also in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we learn from five works of scripture, including the Old and New Testaments contained in the Holy Bible , and the Book of Mormon — Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We know that the prophet Moses was the author of five books that bear his name: “The First Book of Moses called Genesis” through “The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy” in the Authorized King James Version.
Although I try not to dwell on fast food, we can’t forget Five Guys (made-to-order ... plus free peanuts), a favorite of the young elders in our Michigan Detroit Mission (2018). In fact, I plan to visit Five Guys in The Junction, a leisurely five-minute walk from Farr Better Ice Cream across the street from me. (Would you eat a cool dessert first or last?)
Hey, give me five!
Thinking about five on this fifth day of the fifth month, I am reminded of the human body, divinely designed with five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. Five senses help us survive and enjoy life: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. (Who knows what our five senses will do for us in life on the other side?)
My wife Kay & I are blessed with five children, who are all amazing adults. Three daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law make a total of five loving spouses. They definitely deserve an exuberant, virtual “high five”!
Words of inspiration are received in five sessions of every worldwide General Conference. Also in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we learn from five works of scripture, including the Old and New Testaments contained in the Holy Bible , and the Book of Mormon — Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We know that the prophet Moses was the author of five books that bear his name: “The First Book of Moses called Genesis” through “The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy” in the Authorized King James Version.
Although I try not to dwell on fast food, we can’t forget Five Guys (made-to-order ... plus free peanuts), a favorite of the young elders in our Michigan Detroit Mission (2018). In fact, I plan to visit Five Guys in The Junction, a leisurely five-minute walk from Farr Better Ice Cream across the street from me. (Would you eat a cool dessert first or last?)
Hey, give me five!
Friday, May 1, 2020
May We Meet in May?
Here I am, “staying home” in Ogden, the city we love. My sweetheart Kay & I enjoyed the simple life here in Colonial Court Apartments from 2005 to 2009, followed by home ownership again. Taming the Layton frontier was a challenge for eight years until we sold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In November 2018, returning home to a studio apartment and the simple life was a natural choice for me, as my wife Kay’s mission was extended to the other side. We are blessed to know that life continues at home for both of us and our family.
Throughout 2019, my favorite meeting places away from home were Crown Burgers and Rio Grande Cafe in downtown Salt Lake City. Conveniently located near FrontRunner train stations, they provided a pleasing place to meet with SLC friends and family without my fighting the freeway. The food was fantastic ... and fast. Sadly (it should go without saying), they have been closed for two months because of pandemic guidelines.
The Ogden FamilySearch Center and our spacious CCA “front room”, where we comfortably entertained guests and neighbors until those social places were locked “to keep us safe”, should be open again for gatherings this summer ... or next May. Meanwhile, my favorite meeting places are the curb in front by the temple and the parking lot at Farr Better Ice Cream across the street. Both are conducive to sharing comfort food, an essential element every day now.
May we meet this month at Farr’s ... or even sit down in Even Stevens Sandwiches nearby? Can we foresee a new normal in May — dining in Sonora Grill, reading in the library, and browsing in Deseret Book across the street? We expect to wait another month or two for churches, temples, and FamilySearch Centers to open. That will be the day for some heavenly get-togethers.
Throughout 2019, my favorite meeting places away from home were Crown Burgers and Rio Grande Cafe in downtown Salt Lake City. Conveniently located near FrontRunner train stations, they provided a pleasing place to meet with SLC friends and family without my fighting the freeway. The food was fantastic ... and fast. Sadly (it should go without saying), they have been closed for two months because of pandemic guidelines.
The Ogden FamilySearch Center and our spacious CCA “front room”, where we comfortably entertained guests and neighbors until those social places were locked “to keep us safe”, should be open again for gatherings this summer ... or next May. Meanwhile, my favorite meeting places are the curb in front by the temple and the parking lot at Farr Better Ice Cream across the street. Both are conducive to sharing comfort food, an essential element every day now.
May we meet this month at Farr’s ... or even sit down in Even Stevens Sandwiches nearby? Can we foresee a new normal in May — dining in Sonora Grill, reading in the library, and browsing in Deseret Book across the street? We expect to wait another month or two for churches, temples, and FamilySearch Centers to open. That will be the day for some heavenly get-togethers.
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Music Appreciation Class
An idea came to me this morning for our children’s home schools. They are managing well, by the way, and learning a lot every day before going out to play.
I consider as legendary the love my wife Kay & I have for good music. It certainly played a key role in our courtship and marriage, and it continues to do so. I believe our five children appreciate it, too. We hope our grandchildren are developing that love as well, but I often wonder how we can further encourage them as my mother did for me.
A Cincinnati Public Radio broadcast every Saturday morning, Classics for Kids, fascinates and educates me. Each five-minute program with music and lecture (think of a livelier word) focuses on a composer or topic in a creative, fun way. (Today’s was “springtime music”.) They are geared toward children, and the dot-com website has additional content to help parents and teachers. “Programs can be downloaded as a podcast.”
We have a window of opportunity. I am convinced that a daily, seven-minute “music appreciation class” included in our home schools would have lasting value for little children, teens, and generations to come.
I consider as legendary the love my wife Kay & I have for good music. It certainly played a key role in our courtship and marriage, and it continues to do so. I believe our five children appreciate it, too. We hope our grandchildren are developing that love as well, but I often wonder how we can further encourage them as my mother did for me.
A Cincinnati Public Radio broadcast every Saturday morning, Classics for Kids, fascinates and educates me. Each five-minute program with music and lecture (think of a livelier word) focuses on a composer or topic in a creative, fun way. (Today’s was “springtime music”.) They are geared toward children, and the dot-com website has additional content to help parents and teachers. “Programs can be downloaded as a podcast.”
“It really matters what you listen to. . . . Select music that will strengthen your spirit.”
— Russell M. Nelson
— Russell M. Nelson
granddaughter in the far West, learning piano
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Pathways Forward
Our Governor Gary Herbert introduced “version 2.0 of Utah Leads Together” on Friday 4/17/2020. As I watched an archived video of the press conference on ksl.com, the repeated phrase, “pathway forward”, impressed me as significant. So, we are going through a phase ... while looking forward to the next phase ... down the road of recovery.
Has each of us established our personal pathway forward through life beyond the pandemic? Is the family on the right pathway, leading together? Hopefully we keep an eye on God’s “comprehensive plan and guidelines”. I trust we are enjoying and appreciating the beautiful “scenery” along the way of truth and righteousness.
I am grateful to Heavenly Father for all that brings us true joy in life. I find comfort in knowing my forever companion Kay is helping others find the pathway to eternal life ... going forward, with love.
Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
(formerly Layton Wetlands Preserve)
Has each of us established our personal pathway forward through life beyond the pandemic? Is the family on the right pathway, leading together? Hopefully we keep an eye on God’s “comprehensive plan and guidelines”. I trust we are enjoying and appreciating the beautiful “scenery” along the way of truth and righteousness.
I am grateful to Heavenly Father for all that brings us true joy in life. I find comfort in knowing my forever companion Kay is helping others find the pathway to eternal life ... going forward, with love.
Michigan, 13 January 2018
(formerly Layton Wetlands Preserve)
Friday, April 17, 2020
Question and Answer
If I were watching TV this month, I would likely see talking heads in Q&A sessions about the challenges we face. “Question and answer” may be imperative verbs as suggestions, requests, or commands; they can be nouns. If hyphenated, adjective would be in order. No matter — just my early-morning thoughts with iPhone at hand.
What questions are you asking this week? Any good, reliable answers?
What should we be asking? Is “stay-at-home” helping to strengthen families and individuals?
My answer: I feel closer to my angel wife Kay, her parents, and my parents. With daily prayer and thoughts turned to the Almighty, I feel love from our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I see Their tender mercies blessing our family, friends, and neighbors every day. I see positive reports from our children that say yes, home school is working and families are stronger.
What questions are you asking this week? Any good, reliable answers?
What should we be asking? Is “stay-at-home” helping to strengthen families and individuals?
My answer: I feel closer to my angel wife Kay, her parents, and my parents. With daily prayer and thoughts turned to the Almighty, I feel love from our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I see Their tender mercies blessing our family, friends, and neighbors every day. I see positive reports from our children that say yes, home school is working and families are stronger.
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